It means that the 26-year-old Argentinian football superstar is appearing here on posters promoting Turkish Airlines, one of the biggest sponsors of Madrid 2020 rival Istanbul, while claiming he backs the Spanish capital, a city which enjoys a legendary rivalry with Barcelona, the club Messi represents. 

Messi claimed that it was his contractual obligations with Turkish Airlines, rather than the fact he plays for Barcelona, which prevented him backing Madrid but that he wanted to end doubts he was behind their bid, which he did by posing with a bid flag and by wearing one of its tee-shirts.

Lionel Messi has a lucrative sponsorship deal with Turkish Airlines, one of the main backers of Istanbul 2020

"I think Madrid's bid offers many great possibilities for the city and for demonstrates Spain's passion for all sports," said Messi after Blanco made his appeal to him today at Argentina's training camp where they are preparing for their World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay next Wednesday (September 11).

"I think it is good for sport if Madrid is awarded the Games - not only for the city, but also for the top-level athletes in Spain.

"It is very important to host the Olympics in the country where I live.

"I was very lucky to participate in the Olympics for Argentina and it is an amazing experience for all athletes."

Madrid 2020 bid leader Alejandro Blanco (left) expresses his delight at securing the support of three-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi

Securing the support of Messi, a member of the Argentina team that won the Olympic gold medals at Beijing 2008 and winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or for three consecutive years, was important for Blanco ahead of the International Committee (IOC) Session, which will decide which city to award the 2020 Games to on Saturday (September 7), where Tokyo are also among the bidders. 

"Leo Messi never refused to support the Madrid bid," he claimed.

"There was a problem of availability, because he was training when the promotion was shot.

"It is a great honour for us to have Messi's personal support especially for what he stands for as a sportsman, for his sport and as a person."

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